A huge disused cement works is to be transformed into a £104million eco resort which will resemble the Shire from the Lord of the Rings.

Plans for the 118-acre site will see 600 eco-friendly holiday pods created, with grass roofs that bear a striking resemblance to the green home of the Hobbits.

The disused Shoreham Cement Works, on the edge of the Sussex Downs near Shoreham, West Sussex, is set to become one of the most environmentally friendly holiday resorts in the country.

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Plans for 600 eco-friendly holiday pods, which will each have grass roofs bearing a resemblance to the green home of the Hobbits, are to be submitted later this year in a bid to transform Shoreham Cement Works in West Sussex. Pictured: Impression of how the new site might look

The development, if approved, will see 600 'pod-style' holiday homes built (pictured), as well as an outdoor theatre and 50 'earth sheltered homes' built partially underground - just like the fictional Lord of the Rings. Residents are said to be thrilled with plans to develop the old site

Comparisons have been drawn between the new £104million eco-resort and the fictional land of the Shire in Lord of the Rings (pictured)

The disused Shoreham Cement Works (pictured), situated on the edge of the Sussex Downs near Shoreham, West Sussex in front of white cliffs and in an area of outstanding natural beauty, are set to become one of the most environmentally friendly holiday resorts in the country

As well as massive solar panels capable of producing a whopping 1.5 megawatts of electricity, none of the on-site vehicles will run off petrol - just like the horses and carts in Hobbiton, the home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.

The proposed development has been drawn up by award-winning architects ZEDfactory, which claims the project could provide 500 jobs for the area.

Bill Dunster, director, said: 'It's taken a colossal amount of work and will see a significant investment.

'It will be a very beautiful place and the kind of Glyndebourne for the people.

'Instead of seeing vertical chalk cliffs that look rather like a moonscape it will be entirely green, ivied, with trees. It will look stunning.'

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As well as the amphitheatre and 600 holiday homes, the quarry will also house 50 'earth sheltered homes' built partially underground - just like the fictional Lord of the Rings location.

A project spokesman added: 'Nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park is one of the South East's largest brown field sites.

'The local residents as well as the Parks Authority want to see something truly exceptional happen there.

'Working with the local parish and experienced architects, we have put together a community led proposal to redevelop the Works into a world leading eco attraction showcasing and housing green businesses as well as an earth sheltered holiday park, an outdoor concert amphitheatre, natural swimming lakes and much more.'

As well as massive solar panels capable of producing a whopping 1.5 megawatts of electricity, none of the on-site vehicles will run off petrol - just like the horses and carts in Hobbiton. Pictured: An artist's impression shows how holiday 'pods' might look once they are completed

The development has been drawn up by architects ZEDfactory, which claims the project could provide 500 much-needed jobs for the area. Pictured: An artist's impression shows how the abandoned quarry could look once developed, if plans for the eco-resort are all approved

Plans for the proposed development (main image) show how there will be an outdoor dining area on the roof of the main cement work building, which is currently filled with water (top right) and has been left abandoned. It is part of the plan to turn it into an eco-holiday hotspot in the UK

The massive brownfield site is one of three major developments in the pipeline for the area of outstanding natural beauty, according to South Downs National Park Authority.

The authority said no formal planning application had yet been submitted for the cement works but said a great deal of thought would be given to any application.

Speaking of the cement works, a spokesman for the park said: 'This is an important strategic site in a very sensitive location. It will be considered as part of the Local Plan for the National Park.

'We know that there are several different proposals in the pipeline, including one from the local community.

'No applications have yet been submitted and there's still much work to do to ensure that any proposals safeguard the South Downs' wildlife, landscapes and heritage and can actually be delivered.

'The site has the potential to make a substantial contribution towards sustainable growth, but also to accommodate innovative development which promotes National Park purposes.

'This could include sustainable visitor accommodation, employment and leisure uses, all of which can be served by green travel measures.

An application for the development will be submitted to the authority later this year ahead of the Local Plan which comes in September

The massive brownfield site is one of three major developments in the pipeline in the area of outstanding natural beauty in West Sussex, according to South Downs National Park Authority. Pictured: A glimpse inside the old cement works which have been disused for several years

South Downs National Park Authority wants to ensure any development at the disused cement works (pictured) safeguards the local wildlife, landscapes and heritage and can actually be delivered as promised. No plans have yet been submitted but are expected to be later this year

'But the site is not considered suitable for general market housing.

'The authority's policy for the site will be put forward for consultation as part of the Local Plan in September and we look forward to hearing the views of the public on what should be allowed here.'

The scheme has the backing of the Low Carbon Trust and the plans are set to be lodged later this year.

Resident Amy Sharpe, 24, said: 'I can't wait for the cement works to be developed. It's absolutely terrifying - every time I drive past I get the chills.